of the Ostrogoths, King Theodemir

Male 413 - 471  (58 years)


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  of the Ostrogoths, King Theodemir was born in 413; died in 471 in Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • House: Greuthengi
    • House: House of Amal
    • FSID: LC8R-NRD
    • Appointments / Titles: Between 468 and 479, Roman Empire ( 27 BC - 389 AD); King of the Ostrogoths in Pannonia under his brother Valamir; he ruled over the western part of their domain, which covered the county of Somogy and northeastern Croatia.
    • Appointments / Titles: Between 469 and 474; King of all the Pannonian Ostrogoths

    Notes:

    Theodoric (or Theoderic) the Great (454 – 30 August 526), also called Theodoric the Amal (Latin: Flāvius Theoderīcus, Greek: Θευδέριχος, Theuderichos), was king of the Ostrogoths (471–526), and ruler of the independent Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy between 493–526,[3] regent of the Visigoths (511–526), and a patrician of the East Roman Empire. As ruler of the combined Gothic realms, Theodoric controlled an empire stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Adriatic Sea. Though Theodoric himself only ever used the title 'king' (rex), some scholars characterize him as a Western Roman Emperor in all but name,[b] since he ruled large parts of the former Western Roman Empire, had received the former Western imperial regalia from Constantinople in 497, and was referred to by the title augustus by some of his subjects.

    As a young child of an Ostrogothic nobleman, Theodoric was taken as a hostage in Constantinople, where he spent his formative years and received an east Roman education. Theodoric returned to Pannonia around 470, and throughout the 470s he campaigned against the Sarmatians and competed for influence among the Goths of the Roman Balkans. The emperor Zeno made him a commander of the Eastern Roman forces in AD 483, and in AD 484 he was named consul. Nevertheless, Theodoric remained in constant hostilities with the emperor and frequently raided East Roman lands.

    At the behest of Zeno, in 489 Theodoric attacked Odoacer, the king of Italy, emerging victorious in 493. As the new ruler of Italy, he upheld a Roman legal administration and scholarly culture and promoted a major building program across Italy.[4] In 505 he expanded into the Balkans, and by 511 he had brought the Visigothic Kingdom of Spain under his direct control and established hegemony over the Burgundian and Vandal kingdoms. Theodoric died in 526 and was buried in a grand mausoleum in Ravenna. He lived on as the figure Dietrich von Bern in Germanic heroic legend. Theodoric was born in AD 454 in Pannonia on the banks of the Neusiedler See near Carnuntum, the son of king Theodemir, a Germanic Amali nobleman, and his concubine Ereleuva. This was just a year after the Ostrogoths had thrown off nearly a century of domination by the Huns. His Gothic name, which is reconstructed by linguists as *Þiudareiks, translates into "people-king" or "ruler of the people".[5]

    In 461, when Theodoric was but seven or eight years of age, he was taken as a hostage in Constantinople to secure the Ostrogoths' compliance with a treaty Theodemir had concluded with the augustus Leo I (ruled 457–474). The treaty secured a payment to Constantinople of some 300 pounds' worth of gold each year.[6] Theodoric was well educated by Constantinople's best teachers.[7] His status made him valuable, since the Amal family from which he came (as told by Theodoric),[8] allegedly ruled half of all Goths since the third-century AD. Historian Peter Heather argues that Theodoric's claims were likely self-aggrandizing propaganda and that the Amal dynasty was more limited than modern commentators presume.[9] Until 469, Theodoric remained in Constantinople where he spent formative years "catching up on all the Romanitas" it had taken generations of Visigothic Balthi to acquire.[10] Theodoric was treated with favor by the emperor Leo I.[11] He learned to read, write, and perform arithmetic while in captivity in the Eastern Empire.[3]

    When Leo heard that his imperial army was retreating from the Goths near Pannonia, he sent Theodoric home with gifts and no promises of any commitments.[12][c] On his return in 469/470, Theodoric assumed leadership over the Gothic regions previously ruled by his uncle, Valamir, while his father became king. Not long afterwards near Singidunum (modern Belgrade) in upper Moesia, the Tisza Sarmatian king Babai had extended his authority at Constantinople's expense. Legitimizing his position as a warrior, Theodoric crossed the Danube with six thousand warriors, defeated the Sarmatians and killed Babai; this moment likely crystallized his position and marked the beginning of his kingship, despite not actually having yet assumed the throne.[14] Perhaps to assert his authority as an Amali prince, Theodoric kept the conquered area of Singidunum for himself.[15]

    Throughout the 470s, sometimes in the name of the empire itself, Theodoric launched campaigns against potential Gothic rivals and other enemies of the Eastern Empire, which made him an important military and political figure. One of his chief rivals was the chieftain of the Thracian Goths Theodoric Strabo (Strabo means "the Squinter"), who had led a major revolt against the emperor Zeno. Finding common ground with the emperor, Theodoric was rewarded by Zeno and made commander of East Roman forces, while his people became foederati or federates of the Roman army.[16]

    Zeno attempted to play one Germanic chieftain against another and take advantage of an opportunity sometime in 476/477 when—after hearing demands from Theodoric for new lands since his people were facing a famine—he offered Theodoric Strabo the command once belonging to Theodoric. Enraged by this betrayal, Theodoric sought his wrath against the communities in the Rhodope Mountains, where his forces commandeered livestock and slaughtered peasants, sacked and burned Stobi in Macedonia and requisitioned supplies from the archbishop at Heraclea.[17] Gothic plundering finally elicited a settlement from Zeno, but Theodoric initially refused any compromise. Theodoric sent one of his confidants, Sidimund, forward to Epidaurum for negotiations with Zeno.[18] While the Roman envoy and Theodoric were negotiating, Zeno sent troops against some of Theodoric's wagons, which were under the protection of his able general Theodimund. Unaware of this treachery, Theodoric's Goths lost around 2,000 wagons and 5,000 of his people were taken captive.[19]

    He settled his people in Epirus in 479 with the help of his relative Sidimund. In 482, he raided Greece and sacked Larissa. Bad luck, rebellions, and poor decisions left Zeno in an unfortunate position,[d] which subsequently led him to seek another agreement with Theodoric. In 483, Zeno made Theodoric magister militum praesentalis[21] and consul designate in 484, whereby he commanded the Danubian provinces of Dacia Ripensis and Moesia Inferior as well as the adjacent regions.[22]

    Theodoric was married once.

    He had a concubine in Moesia, name unknown, with whom he had two daughters:

    Theodegotha (ca. 473 – ?). In 494, she was married to Alaric II as a part of her father's alliance with the Visigoths.
    Ostrogotho (ca. 475 – ?).[57] In 494 or 496, she was married to the king Sigismund of Burgundy as a part of her father's alliance with the Burgundians.
    By his marriage to Audofleda in 493 he had one daughter:

    Amalasuintha, Queen of the Goths. She was married to Eutharic and had two children: Athalaric and Matasuntha (the latter being married to Witiges first, then, after Witiges' death, married to Germanus Justinus; neither had children). Any hope for a reconciliation between the Goths and the Romans in the person of a Gotho-Roman Emperor from this family lineage was shattered.
    After his death in Ravenna in 526, Theodoric was succeeded by his grandson Athalaric. Athalaric was at first represented by his mother Amalasuintha, who served as regent from 526 until 534. The kingdom of the Ostrogoths, however, began to wane and was conquered by Justinian I in 553 after the Battle of Mons Lactarius.

    Seeking further gains, Theodoric frequently ravaged the provinces of the Eastern Roman Empire, eventually threatening Constantinople itself. By 486, there was little disputing the open hostilities between Theodoric and Zeno. The emperor sought the assistance of the Bulgarians, who were likewise defeated by Theodoric.[23] In 487, Theodoric began his aggressive campaign against Constantinople, blockading the city, occupying strategically important suburbs, and cutting off its water supply; although it seems Theodoric never intended to occupy the city but instead, to use the assault as a means of gaining power and prestige from the Eastern Empire.[24]

    The Ostrogoths needed a place to live, and Zeno was having serious problems with Odoacer, the Germanic foederatus and King of Italy, who although ostensibly viceroy for Zeno, was menacing Byzantine territory and not respecting the rights of Roman citizens in Italy. In 488, Zeno ordered Theodoric to overthrow Odoacer. For this task, he received support from Rugian king Frideric, the son of Theodoric's cousin Giso. Theodoric moved with his people towards Italy in the autumn of 488.[25] On the way he was opposed by the Gepids, whom he defeated at Sirmium in August 489.[25] Arriving in Italy, Theodoric won the battles of Isonzo and Verona in 489.[26]

    Once again, Theodoric was pressed by Zeno in 490 to attack Odoacer.[27] Theodoric's army was defeated by Odoacer's forces at Faenza in 490, but regained the upper hand after securing victory in the Battle of the Adda River on 11 August 490.[28] For several years, the armies of Odoacer and Theodoric vied for supremacy across the Italian peninsula.[29] In 493, Theodoric took Ravenna. On 2 February 493, Theodoric and Odoacer signed a treaty that assured both parties would rule over Italy.[28] Then on 5 March 493, Theodoric entered the city of Ravenna.[30] A banquet was organised on 15 March 493 in order to celebrate this treaty.[28] At this feast, Theodoric, after making a toast, killed Odoacer. Theodoric drew his sword and struck him on the collarbone.[28] Along with Odoacer, Theodoric had the betrayed king's most loyal followers slaughtered as well, an event which left him as the master of Italy.[31]

    With Odoacer dead and his forces dispersed, Theodoric now faced the problem of settlement for his people.[32] Concerned about thinning out the Amal line too much, Theodoric believed he could not afford to spread some 40,000 of his tribesmen across

    Family/Spouse: of the Ostrogoths, Queen Eréliéva. Eréliéva (daughter of of the Francs, King Pharamund and of Sicambria, Queen Argotta Rosamund) was born in 422 in Roman Empire ( 27 BC - 389 AD); was christened in 440; died in 523. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 2. of the Ostrogoths, Amalafrida  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 460 in Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died in 525 in Carthage, Tunis, Africa.


Generation: 2

  1. 2.  of the Ostrogoths, Amalafrida Descendancy chart to this point (1.Theodemir1) was born in 460 in Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died in 525 in Carthage, Tunis, Africa.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Appointments / Titles: Princess of the Ostrogoths
    • Appointments / Titles: Queen of the Vandals
    • FSID: LZNR-Y21
    • Life Event: 523; After her husband Thrasamund's death, his successor Hilderic issued orders for the return of all the Catholic bishops from exile, and Boniface, a strenuous asserter of orthodoxy, bishop of the African Church. In response, Amalfrida headed a party of revolt; she called in the assistance of the Moors, and battle was joined at Capsa, about three hundred miles to the south of the capital, on the edge of the Libyan desert. party was beaten, and Hilderic had her arrested and imprisoned in a successful bid to overthrow Ostrogothic hegemony.

    Notes:

    Amalafrida or Amalfrède, was Queen of the Vandals and African Alans. She was the sister of Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths of Italy, and the wife of Thrasamund, King of the Vandals from 496 to 523.

    PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB THIS LINE THERE ARE ADDITIONAL RECORDS ATTACHED TO READ ONLY FILES

    From Wikipedia-

    Amalafrida was the daughter of Theodemir, king of the Ostrogoths, and his wife Erelieva. She was the sister of Theodoric the Great, and mother of Theodahad, both of whom were kings of the Ostrogoths.

    In 500, to further cement his authority over the Vandals, Theodoric arranged a marriage alliance with Thrasamund, king of the Vandals, who became Amalfrida's second husband. She brought a very large dowry, but also 5,000 Gothic troops.[1]

    After her husband Thrasamund's death, his successor Hilderic issued orders for the return of all the Catholic bishops from exile, and Boniface, a strenuous asserter of orthodoxy, bishop of the African Church. In response, Amalfrida headed a party of revolt; she called in the assistance of the Moors, and battle was joined at Capsa, about three hundred miles to the south of the capital, on the edge of the Libyan desert.[2]

    In 523, Amalafrida's party was beaten, and Hilderic had her arrested and imprisoned in a successful bid to overthrow Ostrogothic hegemony; he also had her Gothic troops killed. She died in prison, exact date unknown.[3]
    Amalafrida had two children, the aforementioned Theodahad and Amalaberga, who married Hermanfrid, king of the Thuringii. It is not known who the father of these children was.
    ********************

    Foundation for Medieval Genealogy

    AMALAFRIDA (-murdered [523/25]). Iordanes names "Amalfridam germanam suam [Theoderici]" as the mother of "Theodehadi" and wife of "Africa regi Vandalorum…Thrasamundo"[237].

    Emperor Zeno used her as ambassador to her half-brother in 487 to thwart his attack on Constantinople[238]. Her second marriage was arranged by her half-brother, Theodoric King of Italy, as part of his efforts to foster the support of the Vandals. Amalafrida's dowry was Lilybæum in western Sicily[239].

    After the death of her husband, she unsuccessfully protested his successor's withdrawal of support from her brother, but she was outmanœuvred and killed[240].

    m firstly [HUGO ---] (-before 500). The Widukindi Res Gestæ Saxonicæ names "Huga rex Francorum…unicam filiam Amalbergam" who married "Irminfredo regi Thuringorum"[241], but there is no indication to whom "Huga rex Francorum" could refer.

    m secondly ([500]) THRASAMUND, King of the Vandals, son of [GENTO the Vandal or GELIMER the Vandal]

    Summary
    Relationships
    Parents:
    Father: Theodemir or Thiudimir, Co-King of the Ostrogoths (451-468), King of the Ostrogoths (468-474)
    Mother: Unknown wife (not Ereleuva, Theodemir's concubine)
    Half-Siblings (children of Ereleuva):
    1. Theoderic I (b. c451), King of the Ostrogoths (474 - 30 August 526)
    2. Theodimund (fl. 479)
    3. Unknown daughter (d. c479)
    Spouses and children:

    First Husband: Hugo Rex Francorum (Peter Heather from the English Wikipedia page apparently does not identify this individual, but FMG does)

    1. Theodahad, King of Italy (d. December 536, murdered by his own men mid-flight from battle near Rome toward Ravenna, m. Gudeliva and had two children)

    2. Amalaberga, Queen of the Thuringians (510-534, m. Hermanafred, King of the Thuringians, died after 534 in Ravenna)

    Second Husband: Thrasamund (b. before 460), King of the Vandals (496-523)
    Basic information:
    Birth: 455/460 according to Mittelalter Genealogie. The Ostrogoths under her father didn't leave Pannonia until 473, so this is likely her birth location.
    Baptism: Unknown, but Arian Christian
    Marriage:
    1. Before 500 - Hugo Rex Francorum
    2. 500 - Thrasamund, King of the Vandals
    Death: 525 - imprisoned in Carthago
    Burial: Unknown
    Occupation:
    Before 500, wife of Hugo Rex Francorum
    500-523, Queen of the Vandals, or wife of King Thrasamund of the Vandal
    523-525, prisoner in Carthago.
    Alternate Names: Amalafrida, Amalfrida, Amalafréde

    523 AD; After her husband Thrasamund's death, his successor Hilderic issued orders for the return of all the Catholic bishops from exile, and Boniface, a strenuous asserter of orthodoxy, bishop of the African Church. In response, Amalfrida headed a party of revolt; she called in the assistance of the Moors, and battle was joined at Capsa, about three hundred miles to the south of the capital, on the edge of the Libyan desert. party was beaten, and Hilderic had her arrested and imprisoned in a successful bid to overthrow Ostrogothic hegemony.

    Amalafrida married of The Vandals, King Thrasamund in 500. Thrasamund was born in 456 in Carthage, Tunis, Africa; died on 13 Jun 523 in Carthage, Tunis, Africa; was buried in 575 in Carthage, Tunis, Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 3. of Saxony, Princess Amegonde  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 480 in Thüringen, Germany; died in 540 in Thüringen, Germany; was buried in 540 in Thüringen, Germany.


Generation: 3

  1. 3.  of Saxony, Princess Amegonde Descendancy chart to this point (2.Amalafrida2, 1.Theodemir1) was born in 480 in Thüringen, Germany; died in 540 in Thüringen, Germany; was buried in 540 in Thüringen, Germany.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Appointments / Titles: Princess of Saxony
    • FSID: LYMW-THH

    Notes:

    Also of the vandals.

    Family/Spouse: of Thüringia, Baderich. Baderich was born in 478 in Dutchy of Thüringia (Historical); died in 529 in Dutchy of Thüringia (Historical). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 4. of Thüringia, Queen Aregunda  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 515 in Rheims, Marne, Champagne-Ardenne, France; died on 13 Aug 563 in Soissons, Aisne, Picardie, France; was buried after 13 Aug 563 in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, Île-de-France, France.


Generation: 4

  1. 4.  of Thüringia, Queen Aregunda Descendancy chart to this point (3.Amegonde3, 2.Amalafrida2, 1.Theodemir1) was born in 515 in Rheims, Marne, Champagne-Ardenne, France; died on 13 Aug 563 in Soissons, Aisne, Picardie, France; was buried after 13 Aug 563 in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, Île-de-France, France.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Appointments / Titles: Princess of Thuringa Queen Consort of the Franks
    • FSID: GW9Q-W3X

    Aregunda married of the Franks, King Clothar in 533. Clothar (son of of the Franks, King of France Clovis I and de France, Saint Clotilda) was born in 497 in Soissons, Aisne, Picardie, France; was christened in 497 in Reims, Marne, Champagne-Ardenne, France; died on 29 Nov 561 in Orléans, Loiret, Centre, France; was buried on 31 Dec 561 in Abbey of Saint-Médard de Soissons, Soissons, Aisne, Picardie, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 5. de Neustria, King Chilperic I  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 539 in Soissons, Aisne, Picardie, France; died in Sep 584 in Chelles, Seine-et-Marne, Île-de-France, France; was buried in Sep 584 in Abbey of Saint-German-Des-Prés, Paris, Île-de-France, France.